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Esslingen Christmas Market 2024 in Germany

This annual winter celebration features unique gifts, live music, and lots of entertainment

Dates: November 26-December 22, 2024

The Esslingen Medieval Market and Christmas Market feature over 80 ever-changing booths on the Marktplatz, inviting visitors to explore a vibrant celebration of craftsmanship. Artisans such as pewterers, felt-makers, blacksmiths, tinder-makers, rope-makers, glass-blowers, and broom-makers showcase their skills, offering unique gifts that are sure to impress your loved ones. As you wander through the market, you’ll experience the warm emotions that Christmas embodies, making Esslingen a perfect place to immerse yourself in the festive spirit.

Medieval Market Stalls

At the Esslingen Medieval Market, visitors can explore a wide variety of stalls offering classic Christmas decorations, nativity figures, and miniature clay houses for tealights. You'll find nostalgic toys, colorful felt hats, natural clothing, jewelry, and much more—essentially everything your heart desires. Discover beautifully handmade wood art from the Erz Mountains, along with historic Esslingen buildings in miniature form. Enjoy colorful, handcrafted caps, high-quality natural products from Morocco, and a selection of teddy bears in various sizes and colors. Don't miss out on the honey and bee products, which offer something healthy from nature, as well as hand-carved nativity figures crafted on-site.

Entertainment

The Esslingen Medieval Market features a range of stage artists who captivate audiences with juggling, music, and entertainment. Performers like Bijan the Minstrel, Fleapit Theatre, Lidia - Lady of Sealand, Mercurius, and Shlomo Goldstein provide unique shows that delight visitors. As you explore, you'll encounter fairytales in felt, elk in pajamas, Christmas elves, and juggling acts. The market also offers various workshops, where you can learn the old market language, participate in a stick-fighting course, discover food smoking techniques, or even produce your tinder.

Eat & Drink

At the Christmas Market, indulge in a delightful array of treats, including waffles, crepes, grilled sausages, and crispy potato chips. Savor hearty stews, Swabian cheese spätzle, and authentic 'Maultaschen' (Swabian ravioli) for a comforting experience. Visit Joachim Kritz's mulled wine pyramid and enjoy traditional beverages from vendors like Sonja Merz and Heinz Rügner. Don’t miss homemade 'Maultaschen' at the 'Maultaschen' Exchange or freshly baked goods and apple mulled wine at the 'Deie' Bakehouse. For gourmet options, try game specialties at 'Wildspezialitäten' Göbel or alpine pizza and smoked trout from Susanne Zobel. Sweeten your visit with roasted almonds and 'Magenbrot' from local vendors, and enjoy delicious cocoa at the cocoa bar.

Kids Activities

At the Esslingen Medieval Market & Christmas Market, children can enjoy a variety of activities that create lasting memories. The nostalgic carousel and candle workshop offer fun for the whole family, while Dwarfland features engaging activities like candle making with handprint designs, catapult shooting, and archery. Kids will also love the hand-operated Ferris wheel and the whimsical Mouse Roulette. Additionally, Christmas Island at Postmichel Square showcases a living nativity scene, a cherished tradition that adds to the festive atmosphere of the market.

Open Hours

The market is open daily from 11 am to 8:30 pm, with extended hours on Fridays and Saturdays until 9:30 pm. Please note that the market is closed all day on Dead Sunday.

Practical info

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